Abel was named coach of the year in his second season in Premier League

Neil Abel has replaced Wayne Slater as head coach of Blackburn Hawks ice hockey team.

The one-time Hawks player guided Sheffield Scimitars to successive English National Ice Hockey League titles in 2003/04 and 2004/05.

The 47-year-old Scot was named coach of the year in his first season as player-coach at the Scimitars in 2006/07.

The Hawks said Slater had stepped down to make way for an "independent and very experienced head coach".

Les Millie also joins the Hawks as player and assistant coach to Abel.

Both started their careers with the Fife Flyers, as well as having spells at Sheffield Steelers.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version